RE: Paris 2012: Nissan Juke NISMO and 370Z

Friday 28th September 2012

Paris 2012: Nissan Juke NISMO and 370Z

Mid-term refresh for an old stager - and NISMO arrives in Europe officially

If there's such a thing as a low-profile splash, Nissan made it in Paris. Its show metal had a 'back every horse' feel about it, with a zero emissions car, a Ministry of Sound car, an off-road concept, the DeltaWing Le Mans racer, and a Micra tie-up with an upmarket ladies' mag.

In amongst it all however we sniffed out two PH-worthy contenders: the Juke NISMO and a new 370Z.

NISMO badge - it's there - arrives in Europe

What to say about the Juke NISMO, apart from the obvious fact that spoonerising it produces an excellent porn star name?

Well, it’s the first accessible performance variant of this big-selling crossover. More significantly, it’s the first official Nissan in Europe to bear the name of Nissan’s performance brand.

Cynics might see this as a low-key start for NISMO, a brand probably best known to PHers for the classic Skyline racers of the late 1980s, Japanese Super GTs and of course the mighty GT-R GT1. But this is more than a quick Halfords tart-up.

The 200hp produced by the Juke’s 1.6-litre direct injection turbo engine (previously seen in the DIG-T model) runs through either a 2WD manual transmission or a 4WD CVT. In the 2WD car you’ll get 0-62 in 7.8 seconds and a maximum speed of 134mph. Knock 0.4secs and 9mph off that for the 4WD.

It's been facelifted ... no, really!

Keeping it all tidy on the road is a revised chassis, with spring rates increased by 10 per cent, modified damping and steering, a driver-configurable Nissan Dynamic Control System, 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/45 R18 tyres and a comprehensive aero package.

Best thing of all about the Juke NISMO, surely, is that it’s being built in Sunderland, way-aye, when the boot comes in etc. Surely that makes it a Juke NISMERRH, though?

Anyway, it’ll be there – and in other parts of the UK – early next year. Final prices and specs will be announced then.

Defanged but now boasting DRLs

Enpimp my 370ZYou don’t see too many new 370Zs about the place. To alter that perception, Nissan has given the brawny RWD coop a mid-term injection of sales Viagra in the form of some detail enhancement work on both Coupe and Roadster.

How many 370Z's have Nissan sold in the UK? I've seen a handful about, but nowhere near as many 350z's at a similar period after they went on sale.

I've got one.

Are you really surprised at what you say given the state the economy is in?Not many people fancy plonking cash on a thirsty V6 at the minute.

Infact, I'm pleased Nissan still have the balls to have this in their line up at the minute given nearly every other manufacturer have jumped ship and gone for forced induction.There won't be many V6s going forward in affordable coupes.

Even Honda (who jumped ship a long time ago) have announced they're going down the turbo route with their next R.Shame on them.

I saw it at the factory a few weeks ago and it was the interior that impressed me most. Really comfortable looking front seats with heavy bolsters and a diddy suede-covered steering wheel with a "straight ahead" marker. The red inside the exhaust pipe end is a bit "Halfords Bargain Bin" though.

I really want a 370z, ive heard nothing but good things about them, is it purely a badge issue people have with them?

I think the issue is price over the 350z, the 370z if im not mistaken taking the list prices of both is about 5k on average more than the 350z.

Which on paper doesnt sound a huge amount, however thats about 150 a month more on a 3year finance, and has been mentioned how many people are happy to shell out on a thirsty V6 at the moment? People want to reduce the outgoings not pay half as much again for the new version of the same car.

Weve got a Juke Dig-T and frankly it's a load of crap, it lacks any type of sound deadening and the novelty of the interior soon wears off!

The biggest thing though is the traction, with 200bhp unless they have done a huge amount of work it will be comical! Our Dig-t in 170bhp guise with 17's spins the wheels like buggery in pretty much all scenario's bar rolling in a straight line..... it's a nightmare!

I knew the Juke was hideously ugly but had forgotten just how bad the 370Z was.

Like someone has bashed up a 350Z and then thought fk it, let's sell it. Don't see many around either.

Whilst looks are subjective and everyone is entitled to their opinion, I just took a look at your profile and saw 1.2 Vauxhall Corsa Active along with the following description " looks pretty good for what it is."

Whilst looks are subjective and everyone is entitled to their opinion, I just took a look at your profile and saw 1.2 Vauxhall Corsa Active along with the following description " looks pretty good for what it is."

Enough said

Going after someones car history to justify/make a point, says enough about you. Lemme guess, you've got a 370Z?

Whilst looks are subjective and everyone is entitled to their opinion, I just took a look at your profile and saw 1.2 Vauxhall Corsa Active along with the following description " looks pretty good for what it is."

Enough said

Going after someones car history to justify/make a point, says enough about you. Lemme guess, you've got a 370Z?